Homeschooling high school can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! In this episode, our community manager, Dawn Garrett, steps in as host to chat with homeschool mom Elizabeth Overcash about her experience navigating these crucial years. Elizabeth, a retired military wife, shares her unique perspective—having one child who graduated from a traditional school while homeschooling her younger two.

She talks about shifting from a hands-on teaching style to more of a coaching role, balancing structure with flexibility, and helping her teens take ownership of their education. She also discusses how she integrates out-of-the-box learning, like film studies and Scouting, while ensuring her kids meet high school requirements.

Key Takeaways:

• The transition to homeschooling high school doesn’t have to be scary—it’s about adjusting your role from teacher to guide.
• Structure matters, but so does allowing flexibility for real-life learning.
• Giving teens ownership over their curriculum choices boosts motivation and engagement.
• Planning tools like Navigating High School and Plan Your Year can make the process smoother.
• Homeschooling high school is about preparing kids for life, not just checking academic boxes.

Links and Resources:

• Homeschool Better Together Podcast
• Navigating High School
• Plan Your Year Autopilot
• Homeschool Better Together Community
• Cure the Fear of Homeschooling High School by Anne Karako
• Andrew Pudewa's Structure and Style program
• College Prep Genius
• Sarah MacKenzie Read-Aloud Revival Podcast

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt(33)

Mentioned in this episode:

Master Manners and Etiquette with Our Birthday Bash Sale!

Parents, transform the challenge of teaching manners and social skills into a fun, easy experience with our exclusive Birthday Bash Sale! From March 13th to 18th, celebrate with us and snag our brand-new 'Manners Together' and 'Teens on Track' etiquette resources for just $12 each—no coupon needed. That's a whopping 60% off! Want even bigger savings? Use code BIRTHDAY25 at checkout for an additional 20% off our already discounted homeschool bundles. Hurry—offer ends March 18th. Visit PAMBARNHILL.COM now and make manners a breeze!

Birthday Sale: Manners

In this episode, I sit down with Denise Gaskins, math educator and author, to talk about how we can transform math from a dreaded subject into something joyful and engaging. Denise shares why so many homeschoolers struggle with math and how shifting our approach can make a huge difference.

She encourages parents to make math playful through games, storytelling, and real-life problem-solving. Whether you have a math-loving child or one who resists every lesson, Denise’s insights will help you bring curiosity and creativity into your homeschool math routine.

Tune in for practical strategies to build math confidence and make learning more enjoyable for the whole family!

Key Takeaways:

• Math Should Be Playful – Learning math through games, puzzles, and real-life applications makes it more engaging and less intimidating for kids.
• Ditch the Memorization-Only Approach – Understanding why math works is more valuable than rote memorization. Encourage exploration instead of just drilling facts.
• Use Stories to Teach Math – Turning math problems into narratives or real-world situations makes them more meaningful and relatable for kids.
• Encourage Mathematical Thinking – Instead of giving answers right away, ask your kids questions like “What do you think?” or “How else could we solve this?”
• It’s Okay to Change Your Approach – If a curriculum isn’t working, try something new! Hands-on learning, different resources, or adjusting your teaching style can make a big difference.Focus on Confidence, Not Just Correct Answers – Helping kids feel comfortable making mistakes and thinking through problems builds long-term math success.
• Math Doesn’t Have to Be a Daily Battle – Shift the focus from completing worksheets to fostering curiosity and discovery.

Links and Resources:

• Homeschool Better Together Free Community
• Denise Gaskins Website
• Denise Gaskins' Blog
• Denise Gaskins Playful Math Store
• The "If Not Methods" blog Series
• My Math Journaling Adventures Kickstarter

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt32

To join our free homeschool community, you can create an account right here.

Mentioned in this episode:

Master Manners and Etiquette with Our Birthday Bash Sale!

Parents, transform the challenge of teaching manners and social skills into a fun, easy experience with our exclusive Birthday Bash Sale! From March 13th to 18th, celebrate with us and snag our brand-new 'Manners Together' and 'Teens on Track' etiquette resources for just $12 each—no coupon needed. That's a whopping 60% off! Want even bigger savings? Use code BIRTHDAY25 at checkout for an additional 20% off our already discounted homeschool bundles. Hurry—offer ends March 18th. Visit PAMBARNHILL.COM now and make manners a breeze!

Birthday Sale: Manners

Consistency in homeschooling can be a game-changer, and today I’m joined by Krystal Joslin, a military homeschooling mom and graduate of the Homeschool Consistency Boot Camp. Krystal shares how she went from a go-with-the-flow approach to building a structured, consistent homeschool routine that works—despite frequent moves and unpredictable schedules.

She opens up about the challenges she faced, the small changes that made the biggest difference, and how consistency has transformed her homeschool (and her confidence as a mom!). If you're struggling to find a rhythm, Krystal’s story will encourage you that small changes lead to big results.

Key Takeaways:

• Small, consistent habits build a strong homeschool foundation.
• Clear expectations reduce resistance from kids.
• A simple daily routine can keep learning on track.
• Self-reflection and small tweaks lead to long-term success.
• Homeschooling confidence grows with consistency.

Links and Resources:

• Homeschool Better Together Community
• Homeschool Consistency Boot Camp
• Read-Aloud Revival with Sarah McKenzie
• The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder
• The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt31

To join our free homeschool community, you can create an account right here.

Mentioned in this episode:

Master Manners and Etiquette with Our Birthday Bash Sale!

Parents, transform the challenge of teaching manners and social skills into a fun, easy experience with our exclusive Birthday Bash Sale! From March 13th to 18th, celebrate with us and snag our brand-new 'Manners Together' and 'Teens on Track' etiquette resources for just $12 each—no coupon needed. That's a whopping 60% off! Want even bigger savings? Use code BIRTHDAY25 at checkout for an additional 20% off our already discounted homeschool bundles. Hurry—offer ends March 18th. Visit PAMBARNHILL.COM now and make manners a breeze!

Birthday Sale: Manners